The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
Bureaucracy
Checks and Balances
Presidential Powers
100

This is the term length for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

2 years

100

This is the article of the Constitution that sets forth the expressed powers of the President.

Article II

100

This is a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected officials.

Bureaucracy

100

The Constitution grants these to Congress, the president, and the courts.

Specific Powers

100

This is the president's power to refuse approval of measures proposed by another branch of government.

Veto

200

These are the specific powers granted to Congress.

Enumerated Powers

200

This is a directive issued by the president to one or more agency or organization within the executive branch.

Executive Order

200

This is the system of rewarding a person for supporting a candidate or party through various means, including civil service jobs.  

Patronage
200

These are the powers derived from enumerated powers and the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Implied Powers

200

This is how a president might clarify legislation in order to best suit how they want the legislation to be interpreted.

Signing Statements

300

This is the title of the primary leadership officer in the House of Representatives.

Speaker of the House

300

This agreement made by the President with another foreign head of state does not require Senate approval

Executive Agreement

300

These are alliances between interest groups, bureaucracies, and Congress.

Iron Triangles

300

This is the power of the Senate to give consent to a treaty proposed by the president.    



Treaty ratification

300

Presidents have historically looked to these to justify their increased powers.

Times of crisis or perceived crisis  

400

This is the mechanism requiring 60 senators to vote to cut off debate.

Cloture

400

Alexander Hamilton advocated for this in Federalist No. 70.

A single strong leader as the head of the executive branch

400

This department ensures a safe, secure, and resilient homeland against terrorism and other potential threats.

Department of Homeland Security

400

This is the political condition in which different political parties control the White House and Congress.

Divided Government

400

Using modern technology like TV, radio, and the internet allows presidents to communicate policy initiatives in this way.

to reach a wider audience

500

This is the term used to describe the redrawing of congressional and legislative district lines following the census

Redistricting

500

This amendment limits the president to two terms in office.

22nd Amendment  

500

These are examples of how Congress uses its oversight power in its relationship with the executive branch.

Committee hearings and power of the purse

500

Supreme Court case that determined that federal courts can intervene in cases that involve state legislative redistricting.

Baker v. Carr

500

These are examples of how governmental branches hold the bureaucracy accountable.

Formal and informal powers

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